Well let's see.....the weather finally cooled off, we seem to be in some kind of shape and there is a new memorial in town. As good a batch of reasons for a long ride as any I can think of.

We crossed the Potomac well before sunrise and headed out of town on the Custis and W&OD trails. It was just above freezing which we figured would keep the number of folks on the trails down-actually it was 10 miles or so before we saw anyone at all (the hour of the day may have had something to do with that too).

At the end of the W&OD we took a left and headed for the back roads leading to Snickers Gap and the Blue Ridge (Hmmm....you are thinking to yourself " "Gap", "Ridge" with names like that I bet there is some climbing involved." You would be right.)

It is a fairly popular area to ride and we saw a couple of small groups out enjoying the fall weather and views.

Bastids didn't wave and we were just barely able to carry on after that crushing slight. Somehow we managed........

As far as we were concerned it was a perfect day for a ride (yes, I know you are thinking "MB1 you moron, what day don't you think is perfect for a ride?") cool, not much wind and fairly empty roads and trails.

We blew back into town with just a brief stop for some much needed sustenance.

Instead of heading back across the river satisfied with a great day of riding we cut across Arlington above the river (thereby avoiding the always crowded Mount Vernon Trail) through the Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon before heading up one last hill.

The new Air Force Memorial was our destination-the place just opened Saturday and it is pretty darn cool if you ask me.

Then it was back into the city with its lovely wide, empty, safe roads (now you are thinking, "MB1 you have finally lost it!") and a quick stop to pick up dinner and home.

A nice 200k+ Sunday.

We love this time of year.

Thanks for the pics. I'm always interested in the bikes people ride so could you post a pic with a closer pic of your ride. Thanks.

Holy snakes...what was the total mileage for that day?!?

Do you do any gps-ing on your bikes? I'd love to see some of your route maps.

(There are very few roads anywhere near DC that we haven't been on at one time or another).

125ish miles for the day.

125ish is a lot, but honestly I thought it would be more. That's b/c I was initially thinking Snicker's Gap was further west.

Great pics, by the way.

I was out on the W&OD Sunday as well, left from my house in the Sterling area. It was a perfect day.....................................uh, I only did 60 miles. I turned around at the bike shop in Purciville (hangs his head is shame).

A friend of mine, a structural engineer at Ove Arup, was one of the main designers of that air force memorial. He'd probably like the photos. Any chance you could email me that stitched photo with the cyclist (MissM?).

Shopping at TJ's - your California roots are showing...